A Twisted Tale of Oz – Magic, Mystery and An Unlikely Friendship

Many people have seen the Broadway play, Wicked. However, I have not seen it or even read about it. This retelling of the Wizard of Oz takes us back before the Wicked Witch of the West was a witch. In this Wicked movie adaptation, we look at the content of this film alone. I will not compare it to the play, but rather I just review the film’s content. Furthermore, in this Wicked Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children. 

Wicked Christian Movie Review 

Studio Synopsis:

 One of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its journey to the big screen as a spectacular cinematic event this holiday season.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two will arrive in theaters on November 21, 2025.

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning and Oscar®-nominated powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege who has yet to discover her true heart.

The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

The film also stars Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Olivier Award winner and Emmy nominee Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.

My Synopsis: 

Galinda, who later became Glinda the Good Witch, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, meet up in Shiz University (it really is a high school boarding school setting). While initially they loathe each other, eventually they become best friends. Their journey to becoming Glinda and The Wicked Witch of the West is highlighted in this film. The Wicked Broadway Play is broken down into Act 1 and Act 2. In this Wicked Part One we see the first act. However, we have to wait until November 2025 for part two. 

Wicked Christian Movie Review – What Parents Want to Know 

Language: 

No foul language.

There are mean things said to Elphaba because she is different. Additionally, people say things such as, “Kill the Witch.”

Violence: 

The film begins with a dead wicked witch of the West and the Munchkins burn a huge wooden witch. 

Probably the most intense scene of the film is when the monkey grow wings and then the flying monkeys are crashing into windows. They are trying to get to capture Elphaba. I literally jumped in my seat. 

​The castle guards chase after Elphaba and Galinda. There is fighting between the women and the guards. A fire breaks out. 

In several scenes, Elphaba cannot contain her powers, and things break or fly across a room. 

​Similar to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wizard is portrayed as a giant talking head.

Spiritual Content: 

Some deep questions are asked, such as, “Why does wickedness happen?” and “Are people born wicked?” A statement is made: “No one mourns the wicked.”

​Additionally, there is a “spell book,” and spells are cast using the book. This scene was disturbing for me. As the incantation was being read from the book, the “words” started glowing. While the world looks at witchcraft and laughs, it is expressly forbidden.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD…”

Adult Content: 

People are shown drinking what appears to be alcohol. 

A woman is shown cheating on her husband. While nothing risque is shown, you know that is what has happened. Additionally, a woman is shown giving birth. 

A comment was made, “I don’t see color.”

A handsome man causes both women and men to swoon over him. 

Galinda is shown flirting, and she flings her hair often. 

Positive Content: 

Elphaba stands up for her beliefs even at a great cost.

Several characters go through personal experiences that shape them into the people they become. This is an important lesson to teach your children. When we meet people, we don’t know their backstory and therefore, we need to learn to be kind to one another. 

Teachable Moments with Wicked

Compare The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with Wicked. Read the book The Wizard of Oz and compare and contrast movie versions with the book. See the differences in The Emerald City, and Munchkin Land.

Ask questions such as, “If you could change the Yellow Brick Road into another color, what color would you pick?” 

Elphaba’s original reason for wanting to see the Wizard was to change her skin color. Why did she change her wish? 

Christian Review of Wicked –  My Viewing Recommendations

Overall, there is little content that would hinder someone from watching this film. However, some of the scenes may scare small children, and the film’s length will prevent younger audiences from watching it in the theater. Additionally, the film is about a witch and there are spells cast in the film.

The film really is the story of Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. Beautiful visuals and the costuming was exquisite, but I was not overly impressed with the movie as a whole. As I said above, I have not seen the Wicked play, and I had only heard a couple of the songs from the Broadway musical Wicked. I do expect most people to like this film, and my son and husband enjoyed it, but my other son and I felt that the film dragged in some parts. I had high expectations, and there were some great parts, but this first part of Wicked underwhelmed me.

This film is similar to Malificent as both movies give you a reason for why Malificent and Elphaba turn out the way they do. However, I think Malificent is a far superior film.

About the Movie Wicked

Rating: PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material.

Release Date: November 22, 2024

Runtime: 2 hour, 41 minutes

Genre: Musical/Fantasy

Studio: Universal Pictures

Directed by: Jon M. Chu

Screenplay by: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox

Produced by: Marc Platt, David Stone

Edited by: Myron Kerstein

Music by: John Powell, Stephen Schwartz

Distributed by: Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Productions

The Cast of Wicked:

Elphaba Thropp played by Cynthia Erivo

Galinda Upland played by Ariana Grande

Madame Morrible played by Michelle Yeoh

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz played by Jeff Goldblum

Fiyero Tigelaar played by Jonathan Bailey

Boq Woodsman played by Ethan Slater

Nessarose Thropp played by Marissa Bode

Voice of Doctor Dillamond, a Goat, played by Peter Dinklage

Pfannee of Phan Hall played by Bowen Yang

ShenShen played by Bronwyn James

Miss Coddle played by Keala Settle

Avaric Tenmeadows played by Aaron Teoh

Gilligan played Grecia de la Paz

Professor Nikidik played by Colin Michael Carmichael

Galinda’s Father played by Adam James

Galinda’s mother played by Alice Fearn

Frexspar Thropp played by Andy Nyman

Melena Thropp played by Courtney-Mae Briggs